Catholic Lobby Celebrates House Passage of George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

For Immediate Release: March 4, 2020
Contact: Lee Morrow, lmorrow@networklobby.org, 202-601-7871

Catholic Lobby Celebrates House Passage of George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
Sr. Mara Rutten: “People of faith have a duty to end the state-sanctioned violence and the systemic white supremacy it stems from.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Catholic Sisters and advocates of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice celebrate the House passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. NETWORK’s Sisters and advocates applaud Congressmembers for their diligence in pursuing reforms to put an end to such tragic and unnecessary deaths as that of Mr. Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Tony McDade, Tamir Rice, and the countless Black lives lost at the hands of police violence and in the name of keeping communities safe.

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act takes a monumental step toward dismantling white supremacy in policing by ending long held practices that allow law enforcement officers to murder or maim Black people with impunity.

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act opens a route to reestablish trust in law enforcement and facilitate greater police accountability, enabling them to faithfully protect the communities they are meant to serve. The bill would ban the chokehold and support implicit bias training and community policing. The Catholic Sisters and advocates of NETWORK call on the Senate to take up and pass these reforms immediately.

Sister Mara Rutten, RSM, Government Relations Specialist for NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:

“It has been more than nine months since George Floyd’s murder at the hands of the police, and in that time, over 100 other Black and brown Americans have suffered similar fates. It is clear that the system will not self-correct. The egregious acts of police violence continue to terrorize Black communities across the nation. People of faith have a duty to end the state-sanctioned violence and the systemic white supremacy it stems from.

“We need Congress to do their moral and civic duty and protect Black lives. The time is long overdue for reforms that hold law enforcement accountable and equally responsible for protecting and serving everyone in society. Every day we wait, another life is put at risk.”

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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a nearly 50-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org